Form assembly for pouring concrete beams

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a form assembly for pouring a concrete beam, which form assembly comprises at least a basic element ( 1 ) with a bottom ( 3 ) and two side walls ( 4, 5 ) standing thereupon and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, whereby the upper edges of the side walls ( 4, 5 ) of the basic element ( 1 ) are connected to each other by means of connecting means, for example, an upper wall ( 6 ) with openings ( 7 ). On one or both extremities of said basic element ( 1 ), an end piece ( 2 ) or a connecting piece can be slid and fixed thereupon.

[0001] This invention relates to a form assembly for pouring a concretebeam, for example, a lintel or another horizontal support element madeof concrete, which form assembly at least comprises a basic element witha bottom and at least two side walls standing thereupon and extending inthe longitudinal direction thereof.

[0002] Beams casted on site consisting of reinforced concrete show theadvantage that they always can be made in the required strength,calculated from case to case, such that they can be better adapted tothe specific case.

[0003] However, they show the disadvantage that the form assembly,including the reinforcement, also has to be manufactured specificallyfor each single case.

[0004] The form assembly, in fact, has to take into account the span andclose joining to the walls. Moreover, in certain cases it can be open atboth extremities and consist exclusively of a trough-shaped basicelement, because the walls close off the extremities, whereas in othercases, one or both extremities must be closed off by an end wall.

[0005] Each form assembly, thus, practically has to be made to size andform, such that a series fabrication of form assemblies is not possible.

[0006] Furthermore, the side walls mostly must be supported on site ormust be kept together by means of clamps or such in order to resist thepressure of the concrete.

[0007] The manufacture and installation of the known form assembly thusis time-consuming and difficult, especially for a person not skilled inthe art.

[0008] The present invention aims at a form assembly for pouring aconcrete beam which remedies the aforementioned disadvantages and can beapplied in a fast and easy manner.

[0009] To this aim, at least the upper walls of the side walls of thebasic element are mutually connected by means of connecting means.

[0010] As the upper edges are connected to each other, supporting theside walls or keeping them together by means of clamps is no longernecessary. The basic element can be brought on the market as such and,if necessary, rapidly adapted on site.

[0011] In a first preferred form of embodiment, the connecting meanscomprise an upper wall which is fixed to the two side walls and mutuallyconnects the upper edges thereof and which is provided with a number ofopenings.

[0012] Then, also the bottom and the side walls of the basic element canbe formed of one piece.

[0013] In a second preferred form of embodiment, the bottom and the sidewalls of the basic element are connected to each other in a detachablemanner, and the connecting means comprise a number of bows whichcooperate with collars at the upper edge, lower edge, respectively, ofthe side walls.

[0014] In this form of embodiment, the form assembly possibly can bebrought on the market in unassembled condition, however, due to theenclosed bows it can be assembled very fast.

[0015] At the exterior side of the side walls, coupling means can beprovided for coupling auxiliary means such as end pieces, bows orconnecting pieces to the basic element.

[0016] End pieces and such are manufactured separately and, if they arerequired for the specific case, can be coupled to the basic element in afast and simple manner by means of coupling means.

[0017] These coupling means can be guides for coupling in a slidingmanner.

[0018] These guides may form a collar, whereby thus each side wallcomprises at least one collar which preferably extends over the entirelength.

[0019] In some cases, the form assembly comprises at least one end piecewhich can be slid over one extremity of the basic element, and means forconnecting it to a basic element, whereby these means preferably alsocomprise locking means for locking the end piece and preventing thedisplacement thereof.

[0020] The aforementioned means for connecting the end piece to thebasic element partially may consist of the aforementioned coupling meanson side walls and complementary coupling means cooperating therewith onthe end piece.

[0021] These end pieces may be provided with grooves or collars whichcan be slid over the collars, grooves, respectively, on the side walls,such that they ate rapidly connected to the remainder of the formassembly.

[0022] With the intention of better showing the characteristics of theinvention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character,several preferred forms of embodiment of a form assembly according tothe invention are described, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 in perspective view represents a form assembly according tothe invention, consisting of a basic element and an end piece;

[0024]FIG. 2 in perspective view represents a cross-section according toline II-II in FIG. 1, the reinforcement being omitted;

[0025]FIG. 3 represents a cross-section according to line III-III inFIG. 1, also without the reinforcement;

[0026]FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of an end piece from the formassembly of FIG. 1, with a partial cut-out;

[0027]FIG. 5 represents a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but for anembodiment variant;

[0028]FIG. 6 in perspective represents a cross-section according to lineVI-VI in FIG. 5, but without the reinforcement;

[0029]FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of another form of embodimentof the form assembly according to the invention;

[0030]FIG. 8 in perspective view represents a cross-section according toline VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, without the reinforcement.

[0031] The form assembly according to the invention, represented inFIGS. 1 and 2, substantially consists of a straight channel-shaped basicelement 1 and a single end piece 2. Both elements preferably aremanufactured of synthetic material, but may also be manufactured ofanother suitable material.

[0032] The basic element 1 substantially consists of an oblong bottom 3,two side walls 4 and 5 standing thereupon which are formed in one piecewith the bottom 3 and, at the lower edge, protrude somewhat over thebottom 3, and connecting means which in this embodiment consist of anupper wall 6 which mutually connects the upper edges of the two sidewalls 4 and 5 and which is provided with a number of large openings 7for pouring concrete.

[0033] Each of the side walls 4 and 5 is planar at the inside, but atits exterior side has coupling means in the shape of guides. Thus, eachside wall 4 and 5 has three collars over its entire, length, to wit anupper collar 8 with a downwardly directed edge 9 along its upper edge, alower collar 10 with an upwardly directed edge 11 along its lower edge,and a central collar 12 with a downwardly directed edge 13 in betweenthe collars 8 and 10.

[0034] Between the lower collar 10 and the central collar 12 and at theheight of the bottom 3, each side wall 4 and 5 has an outwardly directedthickening 14 in which a row of local thinnings, situated at regulardistances in respect to each other,,are provided in the shape of deepcavities 15. In the represented example, these cavities 15 have alozenge-shaped cross-section, but they can also have a roundcross-section or a cross--section of another shape.

[0035] The cavities 15 are so deep that the side wall 4 or 5 at thatlocation easily can be perforated by means of a metal pin 16. In therepresented example, one such pin 16 has been passed transverselythrough the opposed cavities 15, whereby between the two side walls 4and 5, the pin 16 is surrounded by a sleeve 17, for example, made ofsynthetic material such as PVC, or another material.

[0036] Between the upper collar 8 and the central collar 12, almost overthe entire length of each side wall 4 and 5, a relief-like strip, to wita series of ribs or recesses, has been provided, in the representedexample a row of vertical grooves 18 with a rectangular cross-section,which are destined for cooperating with an end piece 2, as will beexplained in the following.

[0037] At its underside, the aforementioned bottom 3 is provided withtransverse breaking lines 19, situated at regular mutual interspaces, inthe shape of indentations.

[0038] The end piece 2 substantially consists of two side walls 20 and21, an end wall 22 mutually connecting these side walls 20 and 21 at oneextremity, and an upper wall 23 mutually connecting the upper edges ofthe side walls 20 and 21. At the bottom, said end piece 2 is open.

[0039] The side walls 20 and 21 are less high than the side walls 4 and5.

[0040] The upper wall 23 is provided with a large opening 24 andprotrudes at both sides beyond the side walls 20 and 21, with a partwhich, together with an outwardly protruding portion of thecorresponding side wall 20 or 21, forms a channel 25 which incross-section is complementary to the upper collar 8 of a side wall 4 or5.

[0041] This channel 25 extends from the extremity directed away from theend wall 22 up to a distance of said end wall 22 which is approximatelyequal to the usual thickness of a masoned wall.

[0042] This channel 25, which can be shifted over a matching collar 8,comprises an upwardly directed edge 25A which engages behind the edge 9of said collar 8.

[0043] Below its channel 25, each side wall 20 and 21 is provided with asecond channel 26 which fits through an outwardly protruding portion ofthe corresponding side wall 20 or 21 and around a central collar 12.

[0044] At the interior side, this channel, too, has an edge 26A which,when the end piece 2 is slid with its channel 26 over a collar 12,engages behind the edge 13.

[0045] Between the channel 25 and the channel 26, in each side wall 20and 21, by means of recesses 27, a springy tongue 28 directed away fromthe end wall 22 is formed, which tongue, at its free extremity, isprovided with a thickening 29 at its interior side, the front end ofwhich thickening is chamfered, and which thickening forms a barb fittinginto a groove 18.

[0046] These tongues 28, together with the grooves 18, form lockingmeans at opposite sides of the form assembly in order to lock the endpiece 2 in respect to the basic element 1. Due to the channels 25 and 26engaging over the collars 8 and 12, said end piece 2 already ispositioned in vertical direction in respect to the basic element 1.

[0047] Of course, the basic element 1 can be provided with other lockingmeans, for example, screws which are screwed through the side wall 20and 21 of the end piece 2 and press against the side wall 4, 5,respectively.

[0048] The portion of the side walls 20 and 21 which is situated betweenthe extremities of the channels 25 and 26 and the end wall 22, isthicker towards the inside than the remainder of the side walls 20 and21, such that the interior side of this portion is situated in theprolongation of the interior side of the side walls 4 and 5 of the basicelement 1, when the end piece 2 has been slid thereupon.

[0049] In the form assembly, a pre-fabricated reinforcement 30 has beenprovided. This reinforcement 30 can be positioned in the form assemblyby means of spacers. The end wall 22 of the end piece 2 can be providedwith openings through which the rods of this reinforcement 30 canprotrude in order to pour concrete adjoining thereto after having formedthe concrete beam.

[0050] The form assembly may comprise no, one or two end pieces 2,depending on whether the concrete beam has to adjoin with its uprightextremities against masonry or not.

[0051] As represented in FIG. 1, the form assembly rests, on one hand,with one extremity 2 on the uppermost layer of bricks of atransverse-directed, half-brick masoned wall 31 and, on the other hand,with an open extremity of the basic element 1, by the intermediary ofthe pin 16, with a sleeve 17 resting upon a platform formed by a layerof bricks 32A of a wall 32, whereas a layer of bricks 32B situatedthereabove closes off the extremity.

[0052] The application of such form assembly is very simple and asfollows:

[0053] From different dimensions of basic elements 1 which are on themarket, a basic element 1 is chosen, the bottom 3 of which is somewhatlarger than the distance between the walls 31 and 32 and is acquiredtogether with one end piece 2 and a reinforcement 30.

[0054] The end,piece 2 is slid on one extremity of the basic element 1until the collars 8 and 12 are situated on the extremity of the channels25 and 26, whereby the springy tongue 28 is shifted over the grooves 18in a pawl-like fashion, however, can not move back.

[0055] The length of the end piece 2 is chosen in function of the sizeof the support surface on which this end piece 2 has to rest, in theexample therefore in function of the thickness of the wall 31.

[0056] Thus, as a consequence of its application, the end piece 2becomes fixed in vertical as well as in longitudinal direction inrespect to the basic element 1.

[0057] At the other end of the basic element 1, on site pieces arebroken off the bottom 3, by means of pincers or such, at breaking lines19, until said bottom 3 fits between te walls 31 and 32.

[0058] At the open extremity, the pin 16 with the sleeve, 17 isprovided.

[0059] If necessary, the reinforcement 30 is sawed to fit and providedin the form assembly.

[0060] The form assembly with the reinforcement 30 therein is placedwith the end piece 2 on the wall 31 and with its other extremity, bymeans of the pin 16, surrounded by the sleeve 17, placed upon the layerof bricks 32A of the wall 32. The underside of the sleeve 17 is situatedat the same height as the underside of the side walls 20 and 21 of theend piece 2.

[0061] At this extremity, the side walls 5 and 6 are situated atopposite sides, over a distance which depends on the length of thechosen basic element 1, against the wall 32, and the layer of bricks 32Bcloses off the extremity. The bottom 3 rests against the layer of bricks32A.

[0062] At the side of the end piece 2, the side walls 4 and 5, as wellas the bottom 3, rest against the wall 31.

[0063] Now, concrete is poured through openings 7 and 24, and afterhardening, the tongues 28 of the end piece 2 are forced or broken awayby means of a screwdriver or the like, such that the end piece 2 can beremoved, after which the upper wall 6 is removed by breaking, sawing orotherwise. The pin 16 also is removed. The sleeve 17 remains in thehardened concrete.

[0064] During pouring, the side walls 4 and 5 are solidly held togetherin respect to each other by means of the upper wall, without thenecessity of supports or such. When an extremity of the basic element 1has to be closed off, as represented, this can be realized fast andsimple by means of a prefabricated standard end piece 2.

[0065] Not only is the use of the form assembly very simple, but alsothe manufacture thereof can be very simple.

[0066] On account of the fact that the collars 8, 10 and 12 extend overthe entire length of the basic element 1, a possible manufacturingmethod consists in producing this basic element 1 by extrusion andcutting or sawing it to size. Before the extruded element hardens, onlythe cavities 15 and the recesses 18 have to be provided by means ofindenting.

[0067] If the locking means do not have any tongues 28 but clampingscrews screwed into the end piece, then, by unscrewing it, this endpiece can be slid from the basic element and possibly used again.

[0068] In FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment variant of a form assemblyaccording to the invention is represented which substantially differsfrom the form of embodiment described in the aforegoing in that thebottom 3 of the basic element 1 can be detached from the side walls 4and 5 and that the connecting means comprise bows 33 which attach theside walls 4 and 5 in respect to each other not only at the top, butalso at the bottom.

[0069] As represented in detail in FIG. 6, the bottom 3 is a loose platewhich is slid with its edges into grooves 34 in the interior side of theside walls 4 and 5.

[0070] The bows 33 comprise extremities folded over in hook-shape whichengage over the collars 8 at the upper edges of the side walls 4 and 5,the collars 10 at the lower edges of these side walls 4 and 5,respectively. The collars 10 and 8 on one and the same side wall 4 or 5are each other's mirror images, such that one and the same bow 33 can beused at the top as well as at the bottom of the basic element 1.

[0071] Also in this form of embodiment, the form assembly is composedand used in a similar manner, with the difference that the basic element1 can be acquired in unmounted condition and the loose parts, to wit thebottom 3 and the side walls 4 and 5, have to be attached to each otheron site. The bottom 3 is provided in the grooves 34 of the side walls 4and 5, and bows 33 are slid over the collars 8, collars 10,respectively.

[0072] As the bottom 3 is separate, it can be brought to length beforeattachment, such that it need not have breaking lines 19 but, forexample, can be sawed to size.

[0073] In this form of embodiment, the removal of the form assemblyafter the hardening of the concrete is somewhat simpler. It suffices toremove the end piece 2, to slide the bows 33 off the basic element 1 atthe top and to remove the pin 16 in order to be able to slide theremainder of the form assembly downward from the concrete, after whichthe bottom 3 and the side walls 4 and 5 can be drawn apart in order tobe ready for use for a following assembly.

[0074] A combination of the forms of embodiment described in theaforegoing is possible, in that sense that side walls 4 and 5 of thebasic element 1 are connected to each other by a fixed upper wall 6, butthe bottom 3 still can be detached from the side walls 4 and 5 and theconnecting means thus not only comprise the upper wall 6, but also anumber of bows 33 at the bottom.

[0075] On the other hand, the bottom 3 might be able to form a wholewith the side walls 4 and 5, whereas the upper edges of the side wallsare connected by bows 33.

[0076] In FIGS. 1 to 6, the basic element 1 is oblong and straight. Itis clear that this is not necessary and that the form assembly also maycomprise constructively similar form elements, however, with anothershape, and thus, for example, with an L-shape, T-shape or cross-shape.

[0077] Form elements with such shapes mostly are not used as a singleunit, but in fact in combination with two or more straight-lined basicelements 1, as a result of which composed form assemblies are created.

[0078] Such composed form assembly is represented, for example, in FIGS.7 and 8, whereby this form assembly consists of a single cross-shapedform element 35 and four straight-lined basic elements 1 connected tothe arms thereof.

[0079] In the example represented in said FIGS. 7 and 8, thestraight-lined basic elements 1 are of the type according to FIGS. 1 and2, whereas the cross-shaped form element 35 is of the combined type witha fixed upper wall 6 but a separate bottom 3 and therefore with bows 33at the bottom.

[0080] Such type substantially is used for all not straight-lined formelements, in consideration of the fact that these can not be formed byextrusion and the mould can be made in a simpler manner if the bottom 3is manufactured separately.

[0081] It is clear that in a composed form assembly consisting of atleast one basic element 1 and at least one not-straight form element 35,there must be a connection between the basic elements 1, and the formassembly then also comprises one or more connecting pieces 36, in theexample, one connecting piece 36 between each arm of the cross-shapedform element 36 and one straight-lined basic element 1.

[0082] In the bottom 3 of the cross-shaped form element 35, at theheight of the intersection, a square opening is left open which is aslarge as the upper side of a support pillar 37 situated beneath.

[0083] The connecting piece 36 consists of an upper wall 38, which isprovided with an opening 39, and two side walls 40 and 41. Incross-section, this connecting piece 36 has the same shape as theforemost open extremity of an end piece 2.

[0084] The side walls 40 and 41 thus each comprise two channels 25 and26 extending over their entire length.

[0085] There are locking means for locking said connecting piece 36 tothe basic element 1 as well as to another form element 35 or anotherbasic element 1, which means that in the represented example, each sidewall 40 or 41 is provided with two tongues 28 which are directed towardsthe one or the other extremity of the side wall 40 or 41, respectively.

[0086] The basic element 1 and the other form element 35 or a secondbasic element 1 can be slid in the connecting piece 36 up to againsteach other, however, if an opening has to remain at the underside, forexample, above a wall, then these elements may remain positioned at adistance to each other.

[0087] To ensure that in this last case the side wall of the concretebeam is not thicker than at the place where no element has been present,side wall pieces, which are connected to each other at the top, with ashape similar to that of the side walls 4 and 5, can be placed betweensaid elements.

[0088] All or certain elements of a form assembly can be brought on themarket together as well as separately. On the market, different lengthsof basic elements can be offered for sale, as well as different lengthsof end pieces for different wall thicknesses. The longer a basic element1, the wider the bottom 3 thereof possibly may be. End pieces 2 or otherform assembly elements, such as an element 35, or possible connectingpieces 36, then also can be offered on the market in different widths.Also, bows 33 of different sizes can be offered.

[0089] The reinforcement 30 can be offered on the market separately orin a basic element or a complete form assembly.

[0090] It is evident that the invention is in no way limited to theforms of embodiment described by way of example and represented in thefigures, on the contrary may such form assembly be realized in variousshapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of theinvention.

1.- Form assembly for pouring a concrete beam, for example, a lintel oranother horizontal support element made of concrete, which form assemblyat least comprises a basic element (1) with a bottom (3) and at leasttwo side walls (4,5) standing thereupon and extending in thelongitudinal direction thereof, characterized in that at least the upperedges of the side walls (4,5) of the basic element (1) are connected toeach other by means of connecting means. 2.- Form assembly according toclaim 1, characterized in that the connecting means comprise an upperwall (6) which is fixed to the two side walls (4 and 5) and connects theupper edges thereof to each other and which is provided with a number ofopenings (7). 3.- Form assembly according to claim 2, characterized inthat the bottom (3) and the side walls (4,5) of the basic element (1)are formed in one piece. 4.- Form assembly according to claim 1,characterized in that the bottom (3) and the side walls (4,5) of thebasic element (1) are connected to each other in a detachable manner andthat the connecting means comprise a number of bows (33) which cooperatewith collars (8,10) at the upper edge, lower edge, respectively, of theside walls (4,5). 5.- Form assembly according to claim 4, characterizedin that the extremities of the bows (33) are bent in hook-shape andengage behind an edge (9,11) of the collar (8,10). 6.- Form assemblyaccording to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that couplingmeans for coupling auxiliary parts such as end pieces (2), bows (33) orconnecting pieces (36) to the basic element (1) are provided at theexterior side of the side walls (4,5). 7.- Form assembly according toclaim 6, characterized in that these coupling means are guides allowingfor a coupling by sliding. 8.- Form assembly according to claim 7,characterized in that these guides are collars (8,10,12), whereby thuseach side wall (4,5) comprises at least one collar (8,10,12) whichpreferably extends over the entire length. 9.- Form assembly accordingto any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises atleast one end piece (2) which can be slid over an extremity of the basicelement (1), and means to connect it to a basic element (1). 10.- Formassembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the means forconnecting an end piece (2) to the basic element (1) comprise lockingmeans for locking the end piece (2) and preventing a displacementthereof. 11.- Form assembly according to any of the claims 6 to 8 andaccording to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the means forconnecting an end piece (2) to the basic element (1) partially consistof said coupling means on side walls (4,5), and complementary couplingmeans cooperating therewith on the end piece (2). 12.- Form assemblyaccording to claims 8 and 10, characterized in that the end piece (2)comprises an end wall (22) and two side walls (20,21) connected thereto,which side walls are provided with channels (25,26) which are slid overthe collars (8,12) on the side walls (4,5). 13.- Form assembly accordingto claim 12, characterized in that the channels (25,26) of the end piece(2) and the collars (8,10) cooperating therewith of the basic element(1) are formed such that they engage into each other. 14.- Form assemblyaccording to claim 5 and claim 12 or 13, characterized in that one pairof these collars (8,12) over which channels (25,26) of the end piece (2)have been slid, are the collars (8) along the upper edges of the sidewalls (4,5) with which the bows (33) connecting the upper edges of theside walls (4,5) to each other are cooperating. 15.- Form assemblyaccording to any of the claims 10 to 14, characterized in that thelocking means comprise a row of recesses (27) at least on each of theside walls (4,5) of the basic element (1), and in the end piece (2)springy tongues (28) with a thickening (29), said tongues cooperatingwith said recesses in a pawl-like fashion. 16.- Form assembly accordingto claim 10, characterized in that the locking means comprise at leastone screw which is screwed through at least one side wall (20,21) of theend piece (2) and pushes against a side wall (4,5) of the basic element.17.- Form assembly according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that the basic element (1) comprises a row of cavities(15) in both side walls (4,5) in longitudinal direction, at the heightof which cavities it is possible to perforate the side walls (4,5). 18.-Form assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprisesat least one pin (16) which is passed through two opposed cavities (15)and in between the two side walls (4,5) possibly is surrounded by asleeve (17). 19.- Form assembly according to any of the precedingclaims, characterized in that it comprises, apart from at least onestraight-lined basic element (1), at least a second basic element (1) ora constructively similar form element (35) of another shape, forexample, a form element (35) with an L-shape, a T-shape or cross-shape,which is connected to the first-mentioned basic element (1) by means ofa connecting piece (36). 20.- Form assembly according to any of theclaims 6 to 8 and 19, characterized in that the connecting piece (36)comprises an upper wall (38), possibly provided with an opening (39) andtwo lateral walls (40,41), whereby these side walls (40,41) areconnected to the side walls (4,5) of a basic element (1) and a secondbasic element (1) or a form element (35) of another shape by means ofcoupling means. 21.- Form assembly according to claim 20, characterizedin that it comprises locking means for locking the connecting piece (36)at the basic element (1) as well as at the other element, whereby theselocking means are formed, for example, like the locking means of an endpiece (2), as defined in claim 15 or 16.